A YEALMPTON man who has volunteered for the RAF Air Cadets for more than six decades has been honoured for his years of loyal service.

Mike Willis has been presented with the award known in the RAF as an Air Officer Commanding No 22 (TRG) Group Commendation.

Mike joined the Air Training Corps in 1952, aged 15, at 1345 Malden & Coombe Squadron in Surrey.

Apart from a two year gap while he did National Service with the RAF, working in air traffic control, he has remained with the corps ever since.

Mike was commissioned into the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training) branch on May 5, 1962. With his wife Pat, he moved to Devon in 1978 and is a well known figure in the corps locally.

Mike retired from his commission on May 5, 2000, but he has continued to serve his local unit, 2339 Plymstock and Mount Batten as a civilian instructor. His knowledge and experience has proved invaluable to many commanding officers who are new to the role.

Over his 64 years with the corps, Mike has been involved in assessing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, adventure training, swimming and shooting. He has gained many qualifications along the way, including his Mountain Leaders Award.

For more information on volunteering with the Air Cadets visit www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets